RCW 26.12.170
Authority of family court judges and court commissioners to order or recommend services—Report by court of child abuse or neglect.
To facilitate and promote the purposes of this chapter, family court judges and court commissioners may order or recommend family court services, parenting seminars, drug and alcohol abuse evaluations and monitoring of the parties through public or private treatment services, other treatment services, the aid of physicians, psychiatrists, other specialists, or other services or may recommend the aid of the pastor or director of any religious denomination to which the parties may belong.
If the court has reasonable cause to believe that a child of the parties has suffered abuse or neglect it may file a report with the proper law enforcement agency or the department of social and health services as provided in RCW 26.44.040. Upon receipt of such a report the law enforcement agency or the department of social and health services will conduct an investigation into the cause and extent of the abuse or neglect. The findings of the investigation may be made available to the court if ordered by the court as provided in RCW 42.56.210(2). The findings shall be restricted to the issue of abuse and neglect and shall not be considered custody investigations.
[ 2005 c 274 § 241; 1994 c 267 § 3; 1991 c 367 § 13; 1983 c 219 § 5; 1971 ex.s. c 151 § 2; 1949 c 50 § 17; Rem. Supp. 1949 § 997-46.]
NOTES:
Effective date—1994 c 267: See note following RCW 26.09.191.
Severability—Effective date—Captions not law—1991 c 367: See notes following RCW 26.09.015.
Structure Revised Code of Washington
26.12.010 - Jurisdiction conferred on superior court—Family court proceeding defined.
26.12.020 - Designation of judge—Number of sessions.
26.12.030 - Transfer of cases to presiding judge.
26.12.040 - Substitute judge of family court.
26.12.050 - Family courts—Appointment of assistants.
26.12.060 - Court commissioners—Duties.
26.12.070 - Probation officers—Powers and duties.
26.12.080 - Protection of privacy of parties.
26.12.160 - When and where court may be convened.
26.12.172 - Parenting seminars—Rules.
26.12.177 - Guardians ad litem—Training—Registry—Subregistry—Selection—Substitution—Exceptions.
26.12.183 - Guardian ad litem or investigator—Fees.
26.12.185 - Guardian ad litem, special advocate, or investigator—Release of information.
26.12.187 - Guardian ad litem, special advocate, or investigator—Ex parte communications—Removal.
26.12.188 - Appointment of investigators—Training requirements.
26.12.190 - Family court jurisdiction as to pending actions—Use of family court services.
26.12.205 - Priority for proceedings involving children.
26.12.215 - Revision by the superior court.
26.12.230 - Joint family court services.
26.12.240 - Courthouse facilitator program—Fee or surcharge.
26.12.270 - Address confidentiality program.
26.12.800 - Family court pilot program—Legislative recognition.